Joseph A. Rinier

Joseph A. Rinier, 67, of Lancaster, died Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the Homestead Village Health Care Center, where he was a resident for 3 ½ years. Born February 20, 1944 in Parkesburg, he was the son of the late Percy and Ethel Rinier. He was the husband of M. Suzanne Rinier of Homestead Village.

Joe was an inspector at Herley Industries in Lancaster. He served in the U. S. Air Force, and was a member of the Lancaster Alliance Church. Joe loved people and some of his interests included hunting, fishing, and music. He played guitar in his own Country Sunshine Band.

In addition to his wife, he will be lovingly missed by: 2 daughters, Rebecca Rinier of East Norriton, Amy Jo Rinier of Honey Brook; 2 sons, Scott and Todd Rinier; 2 step children, David Lenhart of Mechanicsburg, Mary Rickerhauser of Plano, TX; a granddaughter, Paige Marie Rinier; 2 step grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah Rickerhauser; a sister, Mary Lou McIntire. He was preceded in death by a sister Shirley Brown.

Funeral Services will be held from the Lancaster Alliance Church 210 Pitney Rd. Lancaster on Tuesday, January 3rd at 11 AM with interment following in Riverview Burial Park. Friends may call from 10 to 11 AM at the church on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Homestead Village Endowment Fund, Lancaster Alliance Church, or to Hospice of Lancaster County.

Greetings, Suzanne. I just read about Joe’s death and wanted to let you know right away that I’ll be thinking of you and your family during the coming days. Joe was such a good roommate for Dad! I will always remember my conversations with him, when I stopped in to see Dad. He seemed to enjoy some chatting each time. I know your life will be changed by this. His absence will leave a hole in your loving routine, but you will have memories. Allow yourself to transition into these changes without guilt, since you were a loving, present care-giver! Slow declines are difficult, but now he and Dad are in heaven and released from suffering. I send my love to you.
Deb Lenssen

Suzanne, all of us send you our sincere condolences!! Mike, Nicholas, Lindsay and I wish all of your family peace and comfort knowing Joe is in a better place as is my Dad! They are probably enjoying each other’s company right now!

To the family of Joseph Rinier my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. I am a distant reletive of the Rinier family.My Great-grandmother was Annie Rinier sister of Edgar the father of Percy Joseph’s father.I recently started a Family tree and found a newspaper clip of Joseph in the Air Force-wondered if he lived in the area and thought about looking him up to talk about our family- I am sorry I didn’t get the chance to meet him.May you and your family feel God’s comfort and peace at this time.

To the family of Joe Rinier. Please
accept my condolences. I was a classmate
of Joe’s at Octorara. My maiden name was
Minch, born and raised in Parkesburg.
Our class reunion committee has been trying to locate Joe for years with no
results. We didn’t know he was in the
Lancaster area. May God Bless your family. Sincerely, Bonnie Hogg

Oh, my heart goes out to you over the loss of your Joe. What a sweetheart he was, what a tender heart. To hear him talk about his granddaughter and his Jesus, you could hear the peace and joy in his heart. How wonderful to know that he’s up from his wheelchair, dancing with his Jesus now! My prayers are with you all until you celebrate with him someday in heaven!

Tom, Emily, and I are all so saddened by the news of Joe’s passing. We feel so strongly that his presence in our lives and especially in that of my dad was a very special gift and we are very grateful. We couldn’t understand any better how difficult these past years have been for Joe and for you and how loving and patient and so very present you were for him. That caregiving showed your loving and generous spirit and Joe died knowing how much he was loved by you and his family. I hope he didn’t struggle too much and I know, as you do, that he is now unburdened.

Dear Suzanne,
Please accept my sincere sympathy with your loss. Joe will always remain the man with the great sense of humor and zest for life. No matter what the circumstance he always had a great witty comment. I know he shall be missed by friends, staff at the Apostle Center, and family.
Once again, my sincerest sympathy on this great loss.